Lawrence "Larry" Semon (February 9, 1889 – October 8, 1928) was an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter during the silent film era. In his day, Semon was considered a major movie comedian, but he is now remembered mainly for working with both Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy before they started working together.He is also sometimes noted for directing (as well as appearing in) the 1925 silent film Wizard of Oz, which had a slight influence on the better-known 1939 talkie The Wizard of Oz released by MGM. The compliment was repaid in the 2005 three-disc DVD version of the 1939 film, on which the 1925 version appears along with other silent "Oz" movies.